Former Supreme Court Lawyer Linked to $100 Million Crypto Transactions, Federal Prosecutors Claim

KeyTakeaways:

• Tom Goldstein accused of failing to report $100 million in crypto transactions
• Prosecutors claim Goldstein used unhosted wallets for large gambling-related transfers
• Goldstein allegedly falsified tax returns, omitting $10 million in crypto transactions

Tom Goldstein, a former Supreme Court lawyer and co-founder of SCOTUSblog, has been accused of failing to report crypto transactions and violating federal tax laws. Federal prosecutors allege that Goldstein had access to a crypto wallet handling transfers, some of which were linked to gambling activities. The wallet, reportedly receiving and sending approximately $100 million in cryptocurrency, is central to the charges brought against him.

Federal prosecutors filed an indictment against Goldstein on January 16, accusing him of failing to disclose cryptocurrency transactions on his 2020 and 2021 tax returns. A new court filing, submitted on March 6, provides further details about Goldstein’s alleged involvement with two unhosted cryptocurrency wallets. One of these wallets, known only as “935B,” is said to have channeled $100 million in transfers between November 2022 and now.

According to the filing, Goldstein received and sent major payments through the 935B wallet, often in connection with gambling. However, Goldstein denies owning the wallet and claims another individual gave him its address. His attorneys also noted that a large withdrawal of 2 million USDT occurred when Goldstein was detained in February 2025

Prosecutors Dispute Goldstein’s Defense

Prosecutors argue that even if Goldstein did not control the 935B wallet, his use of its address to receive 500,000 USDC in May 2023 shows his involvement with it. They assert that this transaction shows how Goldstein could facilitate the transfer of large sums of cryptocurrency for gambling and other purposes despite not directly controlling the wallet.

The filing was submitted in response to Goldstein’s February 27 appeal regarding his bail conditions. Goldstein had been granted bail following his January indictment but was detained in February

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Prosecutors argued that he posed a flight risk, leading to his detention. In response, Goldstein appealed, and Judge Timothy Sullivan granted him bail with conditions, including the requirement to disclose all his cryptocurrency holdings.

Goldstein’s tax filings are another point of contention. The January 16 indictment reveals that Goldstein allegedly falsified his 2020 and 2021 tax returns, claiming no interest in cryptocurrency transactions despite engaging in more than $10 million worth of cryptocurrency transactions during those two years.